Another new member

synodont_fan · Post by **synodont_fan** » 22 Sep 2006, 03:04

Hi there-

I've been using the web site for a couple of years to get species info and help identify some of my synodontids. However, I never paid much attention to the forum and never bothered to register until now.

I've been in the hobby for 45 years and my interest in tropical fish was one of the factors that led me to become a marine biologist. Those Jacques Cousteau books and TV specials helped as well. I have had some training and experience as an ichthyologist, but over the past 30 years I've become more generalized and deal with the impacts of various types of waste discharges on state waters (marine, estuarine and fresh water).

On to fish. I'm a catfish nut. I have a 210 gallon tank which houses African cichlids (peacocks and other relatively non-aggressive species), rainbows and synodontids.

I have taken a high density stocking approach to reduce cichlid aggression and catfish aggression, so I probably have more fish than most people would consider reasonable. I currently have somewhat more than 50 catfish, about half larger than 5 inches and about half smaller. They seem to coexist well, partly due to the large tank size and partly due to an abundance of wood.

I have about 20 species of Synodontis, plus or minus given the vagaries of identification. I have a half a dozen individuals that probably represent a couple of common clones - personally I have nothing against these, provided that they are sold as clones (which of course isn't usually the case). The marbled variant that starts off looking like a small eupterus is quite attractive, as the pattern remains in my three specimens that are over 5 inches long now. The spotted variety that I've been sold as ocellifer and longirostris at the 2 inch size are less attractive when they grow up.

I look forward to interacting with everyone and hopefully acquiring some new syno species that I've been after for quite some time. I'm really excited about the potential breeding of granulosus and hope to see more details in the near future.

Michael

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 22 Sep 2006, 13:42

Hi there & welcome to the site.

As far as breeding granulosus goes i think we all recognise it has been done but the (commercial) breeder will be remaining tight lipped for the foreseeable future.

I have some additional photos to post when i get access to my home pc (see baby granulosus photos post)

Richard B

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 22 Sep 2006, 14:33

Welcome to Planet Catfish.

--
Mats

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 22 Sep 2006, 19:10

Welcome, synodont_fan.